Electrically controlled fluid dispenser



Aug. 25, 1964 T. J. SMITH ELECTRICALLY CONTROLLED FLUID DISPENSER Filed March 20, 1961 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 FIG... 2

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SMITH INVENTOR. TRAVER J Mail A T TOPNEVS Aug. 25, 1964 1'. .1. SMITH ELECTRICALLY CONTROLLED FLUID DISPENSER Filed March 20. 1961 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. TRAl/ER J. SMITH A T TO/PNEVS mOPUmJJOU mv m w OhUm 4 400 Dow Aug. 25, 1964 Filed March 20, 1961 T. J. SMITH ELECTRICALLY CONTROLLED FLUID DISPENSER S MSEM 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR. 7R4 VER J. SM/T H fink 7 United States Patent M 3,145,741 ELECTRICALLY CONTROLLED FLUID DISPENSER Traver J. Smith, San Jose, Calif., assignor of one-half to Genevieve I. Magnuson and one-half to Genevieve I.

Maguuson, Robert Magnuson, and Lois J. Fox, as

trustees Filed Mar. 20, 1961, Ser. No. 97,049 10 Claims. (Cl. 141-104) This invention relates to a selective electrically controlled fluid dispenser and mixer.

An object of this invention is to provide an improved selectively controlled fluid dispenser in which any one or more fluids may be dispensed into a container.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved electrically operated and selectively controlled apparatus for placing predetermined quantities of one or more different liquids into a container.

Still another object of this invention is to provide an improved selection circuit for a drink dispenser whereby different liquids from a plurality of reservoirs or dispensers may be placed into a container as the container is moved past nozzles through which the different liquids are supplied.

Other and further objects of this invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art to which it relates from the following specification, claims and drawings.

In accordance with this invention, there is provided a selectively controlled automatic liquid dispenser which is constructed to dispense any one or more selected liquids into a container as the container is moved past dispensing heads supplying the different liquids.

This apparatus is electrically controlled and it is provided with a control panel having a plurality of pushbuttons corresponding in number to the different liquids that are adapted to be dispensed by the apparatus and also including one or more clear buttons. This apparatus may be used adapted for mixing of drinks such as different kinds of whiskey and water, soda, ginger ale, or the like. However, it is not limited to dispensing such liquids as it may be used to dispense any fluid material whether it is liquid or solid.

Further details of this invention will be set forth in the following specification, claims and drawings in which briefly:

FIG. 1 is a view in front elevation of an embodiment of this apparatus;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along the line 22 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along the line 3-3 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a schematic wiring diagram of the electrical connections in this apparatus; and

FIG. 5 is a schematic wiring diagram of a timing circuit that may be employed in accordance with this invention.

Referring to the drawing in detail, there is shown in FIG. 1 an embodiment of this apparatus having a liquid selection panel and five dispensing stations or heads 11, 12, 13, 14 and 15. The conveyor belt 16 is supported on the rotatable members 17 and 18 which are located at opposite ends of the apparatus and one of these rotatable members is driven by a suitable motor (not shown) at a relatively slow speed. Each of the dispensing stations or heads 11, 12, and 13 is of the general type shown in Patent No. 2,951,618 and these are adapted to be controlled by rotary solenoids 19, 20, 21, respectively, which may be of the type disclosed in Patent No. 2,950,424.

The dispensing heads 11, 12 and 13 are connected by means of suitable plastic hoses 22, 23 and 24, respectively, to suitable pumps disposed in the reservoirs 25, 26 and 3,145,741 Patented Aug. 25, 1964 ice" 27. The pumping apparatus disposed in reservoir 25 is shown in FIG. 2 and comprises a rotary pump 28 connected to the inner end of the hose 22. This pump is of conventional construction and it is provided with a column 30 that is attached to the motor 29 which is positioned on the upper end of this column for the purpose of driving the pump.

When this apparatus is turned on, the pumping devices in the reservoirs 25, 26 and 27 function to circulate the liquids in these reservoirs through the hoses 22, 23 and 24 and the heads 11, 12 and 13, respectively. If these heads are not open so as to dispense the liquid outward to a container positioned on the conveyor 16, then the circulating liquids are circulated back into the reservoirs 25, 26 and 27 respectively, through the return connections 34, 35 and 36, respectively. These heads 11, 12 and 13 may be caused to dispense liquid out to the container on the conveyor 16 by energizing the solenoids 19, 20 and 21 respectively so that the deflectors provided in these heads are shifted and the circulating liquid can flow out.

Each of the reservoirs 25, 26 and 27 may be provided with suitable members such as the shelf 31 and bracket 32, shown in FIG. 2, which are positioned in reservoir 25. Thus an additional bottle of liquid such as the bottle 33 may be held in inverted position in each of these reservoirs so as to supply additional liquid thereto as liquid is dispensed therefrom.

The dispensing heads 14 and 15 are provided with solenoid controlled valves and the solenoids 68 and 69 for control thereof are shown in FIG. 4. These heads are connected to the helical tubing 36 and 37 respectively, positioned in the compartments 34 and 35 respectively. Compartments 34 and 35 are provided for the purpose of holding ice to cool these coils and the liquids passing therethrough. The coil 36 is connected to a tank 36a which may be filled with soda water under pressure, for example. The soda water is fed through the helical coil and it is cooled therein before it is dispensed at the nozzle 14. The helical coil 37 positioned in the ice compartment 35 is connected to the tank 37a which is filled with ginger ale, for example, also under pressure, and this liquid is likewise cooled in the coil 37 before it is dispensed through the nozzle 15.

The selection and control board 10 is provided with a plurality of illuminated pushbuttons 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45 and 46 all of which except button 45, are adapted to be illuminated when they are pushed or actuated. Pushbutton 45 may be illuminated at all times while the apparatus is in operation. Thus each of these pushbuttons is provided with an electrically energized lamp inside thereof and the button is made of translucent material so that it may be illuminated from the inside thereof. The pushbuttons 41, 42, 43 and 44 are connected as will be described hereinafter for selecting the liquids to be dispensed from the nozzles 11, 12, 13, 14 and 15 respectively. These buttons are accordingly labeled with the names of the liquids in the reservoirs 25, 26, 27, 36a and 37a respectively, and a person making a selection can do so from these legends simply by pressing the appropriate pushbuttons. Both of the pushbuttons 45 and 46 are clear buttons whose function it is to clear the relay circuit or a part thereof of this apparatus when it is desired to do so as will be described hereinafter.

This apparatus is also provided with a plurality of control switches 47, 48, 49, 50 and 51 which are positioned substantially in alignment with the liquid dispensing heads or outlets 11, 12, 13, 14 and 15 respectively. These switches are positioned just above and to one side of the conveyor belt 16 as shown in FIG. 2, which illustrates the position of the switch 47. The other switches have corresponding positions. These switches are in the form of microswitches, and each thereof is provided with a pivotis adapted to be engaged by the drinking glass 52, that is positioned on the conveyor 16, as this drinking glass is moved past the respective switches. The actuating blades of these switches extend inward over the side of the conveyor belt 16 as is shown by the actuating blades 50a and 51a of the switches 50 and 51 respectively, shown in FIG. 3. Thus, the drinking glass 52 must actuate the switch as it is moved by the conveyor past the respective switch positions.

The switches 4751 are connected as shown in the schematic diagram of connections employed in this apparatus and shown in FIG. 4. This apparatus is also provided with two step-down transformers 52 and 53, each of which is provided with a primary winding that is adapted to be connected to the terminals 54 and 55 of a 110 v. lighting circuit, for example. The secondary of the transformer 53 is a relatively low voltage and the output lines 56 and 57 thereof are connected to all of the terminals 56a and 57a respectively for the purpose of lighting the lamps in the pushbuttons 40, 41, 46, 42, 43 and 44 when these pushbuttons are actuated. This winding also is connected to the terminals 56a and 57a of the clear pushbutton 45, which is normally continuously illuminated.

Transformer 52 provides a low voltage output which is supplied to the lines 58 and 59. A rectifier 58a is connected in series with one terminal of the secondary of transformer 52 and the line 58. The line 59 is connected directly to one side of the windings of relays 60, 61, 62, 63, 64 and 65. The line 58 is broken by contactor 45a of the clear pushbutton 45 when this pushbutton is actuated. It is also divided into a right-hand section and a left-hand section as shown in FIG. 4 by contactor 46b of the pushbutton 46. These contactors are normally closed except when it is desired to clear the circuit at which time pushbutton 45 is actuated, and if it is desired to clear the right-hand part of the circuit then pushbutton 46 is actuated. This will be described in greater detail hereinafter in the operation of this apparatus.

Pushbutton 45 is provided with normally closed contactor 45a which is connected in line 58 as previously described. Pushbutton 40 is provided with normally closed contactor 40a and normally open contactor 40b. Pushbutton 41 is provided with normally closed contactor 41a and normally open contactor 41b. Pushbutton 46 is provided with normally open contactor 46a and normally closed contactor 46b. Pushbutton 42 is provided with normally closed contactors 42a and 42b and normally open contactor 42c. Pushbutton 43 is provided with normally closed contactors 43a and 43b and normally opened contactor 43c, and pushbutton 44 is provided with normally closed contactor 44a and normally open contactor 44b.

Each of the relays 60, 61, 63, 64 and 65 is provided with four contactors, all of which are normally open. Thus, relay 60 is provided with contactors 60a, 60b, 60c and 68d; relay 61 is provided with contactors 61a, 61b, 61c and 61d; relay 63 is provided with contactors 63a, 63b, 63c and 63d; relay 64 is provided with contactors 64a, 64b, 64c and 64d; and relay 65 is provided with contactors 65a, 65b, 65c and 65d. Relay 62 is provided with contactor 62a and contactor 6212 which are normally open.

The left-hand contacts of contactors 40a, 40b, 41b, 46a, 46b, 42a, 42c, 43c and 44b and the right-hand contacts of contactors 41a, and 44a are all connected to the line 58. The right-hand contacts of contactors 40b, 41b, 46a, 42c, 43c and 44b are connected to the upper terminals of the windings of relays 60, 61, 62, 63, 64 and 65, respectively. Thus the windings of relays 60, 61, 62, 63, 64 and 65 may be energized one by one from transformer 52 by depressing pushbuttons 40, 41, 46, 42, 43 and 44, respectively.

The upper terminals of the windings of relays 60, 61, 63, 64 and 65 are also connected to the blades of contactors 60a, 61a, 63a, 64aand 65a respectively, and the upper terminal of the winding of relay 62 is connected to 4 the right-hand contact of contactor 6212. These contactors provide locking or holding means for these respective relays through which these relays may be held energized after the respective pushbuttons are actuated.

The holding circuit of relay 60 includes the contactor 41a through which the right-hand contact of contactor 60a is connected to the line 58 and the holding circuit of relay 61 includes the contactor 40a through which the righthand contact of contactor 61a is connected to the line 58. The holding circuit of relay 63 includes contactors 43b and 44a through which the right-hand contact of contactor 63a is connected to the line 58. The holding circuit of relay 64 includes the contactors 42b and 44a through which the right-hand contact of contactor 64 is connected to the line 58 and similarly the holding circuit of relay 65 includes contactors 43a and 42a through which the righthand terminal of contactor 65a is connected to the line 58.

Relays 60, 61, 62, 63, 64 and 65 are provided with contactors 60b, 61b, 62a, 63b, 64b and 6512, respectively, and the right-hand terminal of these contactors is connected to the lamp inside of the pushbuttons 40, 41, 46, 42, 43 and 44, respectively, to provide circuits through which the lamps in these pushbuttons may be energized when the respective pushbuttons are actuated. These contactors 60b, 61b, 62a, 63b, 64b and 65b are connected to the terminal 57 of the secondary winding of transformer 53 as indicated by the arrows 57a.

Relay 66 is provided with one contactor 66a which is normally in its upper position in which it is engaging a contact that is connected to the upper terminal of resistor 68a, the lower terminal of which is connected to the righthand sides of the solenoid windings 19 and 20, and to the anodes of rectifiers 83 and 84. The lower contact of relay 66 is connected to the contact of contactor 60d of relay 60, to the contactor 61d of relay 61 and to the right-hand terminal of the counter 70. The left-hand terminal of this counter is connected to the line 59. Relay 67 is provided with a contactor 67a which is connected to the contactor 66a of relay 66. Contactor 67a is normally in its upper position in engagement with its upper contact which is conected to the right-hand terminal of resistor 69a. The left hand terminal of this resistor is connected to the line 71 which is connected to the upper terminals of the windings of relays 66 and 67, to the left hand terminals of rectifiers 8t 81 and 82, to the left hand terminals of solenoids 21, 68 and 69, and to the terminals 73 and 73a of control units 85 and 86. The lower contact associated with contactor 67a is connected to the contactors 63d, 64d and 65d of relays 63, 64 and 65 respectively. The contacts of the contactors 63d, 64d and 65d are connected to the right hand terminals of solenoids 21, 63 and 69, respectively and to the anodes of rectifiers 80, 81 and 82, respectively.

Switches 47, 48, 49, 50 and 51 which are positioned adjacent to the conveyor 16 are connected as follows: one side of switch 47 is connected to the contactor 60c and the other side is connected to one side of switch 48 and to terminal 75 of control unit 85. The other side of switch 48 is connected to the contact of contactor 61c. Contactor 610 is connected to the contact of contactor 60c and by the plus 36 volt line to the terminal 76 of control unit 85. One side of the switches 49, 50 and 51 is connected to the terminal 78 of control unit 86. The other side of switch 49 is connected to the contactor 63c. The other side of switch 50 is connected to the contact of contactor 64c and the other side of switch 51 is connected to the contact of contactor 65c. Contactors 65c and 640 are connected to the contact of contactor 63c and to the terminal 77 of control unit 86 by the line 77a.

The circuits of control units and 86 are the same and accordingly only one is illustrated in FIG. 5 in detail. Reference numerals 7343a, 75-78, 74-79, 7677, and 9192 of units 85 and 86 are shown on FIG. 5 designating corresponding terminals. A control unit of this kind is disclosed in application Serial No. 46,015, filed July 28, 1960 by Richard A. Wood and assigned to a common assignee.

This control unit includes a transistor 110 having a base 111, a collector 112 and an emitter 113 and the base thereof is connected to the upper terminal of the resistor 115 and to the right hand terminal of the capacitor 116, the left hand terminal of which is connected to the upper terminal of the resistor 117 and to the terminal 74-78 to which the switches 47-51 are connected to apply pulses to the base 111 of the transistor 110. The terminal 76-77 is connected to the upper terminal of the resistor 120 and the zener diode 119 which functions as a voltage regulator.

The emitter 113 of the transistor 110 is connected to the ground line 114 which may be the metal chassis of the apparatus. The lower terminal of the resistor 117 and zener diode 119 are also connected to the ground line 114. The lower terminal of the resistor 120 is connected to the left hand terminal of the capacitor 123 and to the cathode of the diode 121 forming the positive terminal of the power supply. The anode of this diode is connected to the cathode of the diode 122 and to the upper terminal of the capacitor 125 and the anode of the diode 122 is connected to the left hand terminal of the secondary 128 of the transformer 127 and to the other terminal of the capacitor 123 as well as to the plus 11 volt D.C. line 134 which supplies D.C. potential to the upper terminals of the resistors 140, 148 and 155, the lower terminals of which are connected to the collectors 138, 144 and 153, respectively, of the transistors 135, 142 and 151, respectively.

The other side of the secondary winding 128 is connected to the cathode of the diode 126 and to the lower terminal of the capacitor 125. The right-hand terminal of the capacitor 124 is connected to the anode of the diode 126, the cathode of which is connected to the secondary of the transformer 128. Thus these diodes 121, 122 and 126 and capacitors 123, 124 and 125 are connected into a voltage tripler circuit.

The negative bias line 131 is connected to the common terminals of the capacitor 124 and the anode of diode 126 and this line is also connected to the lower terminals of the resistors 132, 147 and 156. The upper terminal of the resistor 132 is connected to the lower terminals of the resistors 115 and 133 and the upper terminal of the resistor 133 is connected to the ground line 114. The upper terminal of the resistor 147 is connected to the base 143 of the transistor 142 and to the collector 112 of the transistor 110 and also to the left hand terminal of resistor 150. The upper terminal of the resistor 156 is connected to the collector 160 of the transistor 158 and to the base 152 of the transistor 151 and also to the right hand terminal of the resistor 149.

The lower terminals of the resistors 148 and 148 are connected to the collectors 138 and 144 of the transistors 135 and 142, respectively. The lower terminal of the resistor 140 is also connected to the upper terminal of the zener diode 139, the anode of which is connected to the ground line 114. The collector of the transistor 135 is also connected to the upper terminal of the variable resistor 181 to the cathode of the diode 180 and to the left hand terminal of the thermistor 162. The right hand terminal of this resistor is connected to the base of the transistor 158 and to the collector of the transistor 165. The emitters 161 and 166 of the transistors 158 and 163 are connected to the ground line 114. The lower terminal of the variable resistor 181, the anode of the diode 180, are connected together to the contactor 179 which is associated with the contacts 174, 175, 176, 177 and 178 which are connected to the left hand terminals of the capacitors 169, 170, 171, 172 and 173, respectively, whereby different ones of these capacitors may be selected by this contactor 179. The right hand terminals of these capacitors 169, 170, 171, 172 and 173 6 are connected together and to the lower terminals of the resistor 168, the cathode of the diode 167 and to the base 164 of the transistor 163. The upper terminal of the resistor 168 and the anode of the diode 167 are connected to the ground line 114.

The emitters and 154 of the flip flop transistors 142 and 151 are connected to the upper terminals 146 and 157, respectively, of the resistors 146 and 157, respectively, the lower terminals of which are connected to the ground line 114. The collector of the transistor 142 is also connected through the resistor 149 to the base 152 of the transistor 151 and the collector 153 of the transistor 151 is also connected to the base 183 of the transistor 182. The emitter of the latter transistor is connected through the variable resistor 186 to the ground line 114. The collector 184 of the transistor 182 is connected to the base 190 of the power transistor 189 and to the upper terminal of the series connected lamps 187 and 188, the lower terminal of which is connected to the cathode of the rectifier 196, the anode of which is connected to one side of the secondary of the transformer 193. The center tap of this secondary is connected to ground and the other side of this secondary is connected to the anode of the diode 197, the cathode of which is connected to the cathode of the diode 196 and to the upper terminal of the filter capacitor 198. The lower terminal of this filter capacitor is connected to ground and to the cathode of the diode 200, the anode of which is connected to the collector 192 of the transistor 189. The emitter 191 of the transistor 189 is connected to the terminal 7374 and the terminal 73a-79 is connected to the upper terminal of the capacitor 198 and to the cathodes of the diodes 196 and 197.

The operation of the circuit shown in FIG. 5 will be discussed before the operation of the overall circuit of this apparatus shown in FIG. 4 is described. When a container closes one of the switches 47-51 a pulse, which passes through the capacitor 116, is applied to the base 111 of the transistor 110. Normally this base is biased negatively through the resistor 115 so that leakage through this transistor-for example, leakage caused by temperature rise-may be kept down. This negative bias is overcome by the positive pulse and the transistor 110 saturates. Transistor 142 of the flip flop employing transistors 142 and 151 is normally saturated and the base 143 thereof is supplied with a positive bias through the circuit including the resistors 147, 150 and 155. However, when the transistor 110 saturates it provides a low impedance shunt circuit across the resistor 147 to the ground line 114 and this circuit reduces the positive bias of the base 143 so that the transistor 142 cuts off and the transistor 151 saturates, since the base 152 of the transistor 151 becomes positively biased as a result of the reduced current flowing through the resistor 148 and consequently the voltage drop across this resistor is reduced. Thus positive bias is supplied to the base 152 through the resistors 148 and 149.

As long as transistor 142 was saturated, transistor 135 was likewise saturated because the current flow through the resistor 146 provided a positive bias to the base 136 of the transistor 135. However, when transistor 142 was turned off, this resulted in removal of the positive bias from the base 136 and transistor 135 was also turned off. When the transistor 135 was turned off the voltage across the zener diode 139 went up to the regulated voltage, which in this case is 8.2 volts, and the capacitor 169 which is connected to the switch 179 started charging at this regulated voltage through resistors 168 and 181. The charging current of this capacitor passes through the resistor 168 and the voltage drop across this resistor provides a positive bias for the base 164 of the transistor 163. The various capacitors 169, 170, 171, 172 and 173 are of difierent sizes so that they require diflerent charging intervals. Thus different time intervals may be selected by adjusting the switch 179 to connect different ones of these capacitors into the charging circuit. The charging interval also may be varied by varying the resistor 181.

As long as the selected capacitor is charging current flows through the resistor 168 and provides a bias for the base 164 of the transistor 163, and as long as this bias is maintained the transistor 163 is saturated and keeps the base 159 of the transistor 158 at cut 011 potential.

The collector 165 of transistor 163 is connected by means of the temperature-sensitive resistor 162 of the thermistor type to the zener diode 139. The thermistor 162 compensates for timing changes due to temperature variations and this thermistor resistance varies from 75,000 ohms at 30 C. to 1200 ohms at 130 C.

As long as transistor 151 of the flip flop is saturated, a positive bias is provided to the base 183 of transistor 182 so that this transistor is saturated and as long as transistor 182 is saturated it provides drive to the transistor 189 which is of the PNP type. As long as transistor 189 is driven, it functions to energize the relay 6667 which is connected in series with the emitter 191 thereof and the positive output of rectifiers 196 and 197.

When transistor 163 is cut off, that is, when the capacitor becomes charged and the voltage drop across resistor 168 drops substantially toward zero, it no longer functions to reduce the potential of the base 159 of transistor 158 and as a result this transistor saturates and thereby functions to reduce the potential of the base 152 of transistor 151. When transistor 151 cuts off the potential of the base 143 of transistor 142 goes up since the voltage drop across resistor 155 is reduced and transistor 142 saturates. As a result the bias on the base 136 of the transistor 135 goes up and this transistor saturates. When transistor 135 saturates, the charged capacitor of the group 169-173 is discharged rapidly through diodes 167 and 180 and through this transistor.

When the transistor 151 of the flip flop was cut off the transistor 142 saturated, the bias of the base 183 of transistor 182 was reduced with the result that drive provided by transistor 182 was removed from transistor 189 and this transistor cut 011 so that the current through the relay 6667 was interrupted or substantially reduced.

Another diode 200 is connected between the collector 192 of transistor 189 and ground, and the function of this diode is to raise the voltage of the collector 192. This helps to stop leakage current through the transistor 189 and it also functions to increase the current through transistor 182. The lamps 187 and 188 are provided to furnish back bias on the base 190 of transistor 189 when this transistor is cut off. Inasmuch as these lamps are in series with the positive supply and the collector 184 of transistor 182, the current drawn by this transistor passes through these lamps and causes them to heat up to incandescence, with the result that the resistance there of increases so that the current through the transistor 182 is kept down to safe limits. However, when transistor 182 is cut off the resistance of these lamps 187 and 188 are reduced to their cold values with the result that the 15 volt back bias is applied to the base 190 of transistor 189 when this transistor is cut off.

From the foregoing it is apparent that the control circuit shown in FIG. 4 comprising control units 85 and 86, provides the control for timing the operation of the solenoids 19, 20, 21, 68 and 69. In describing the operation of the circuit shown in FIG. 4 it will first be assumed that the operator desires only the drink represented by the pushbutton 40 without having any water, soda or other mixture added thereto. The operator therefore presses the pushbutton 40 and pushbutton 46. Thus pushbutton 46 opens the circuit of contactor 46b, thereby opening the line 58 at this point, and close the circuit of contactor 46a, thereby energizing the winding of relay 62 which is connected across lines 58 and 59 through contactor 46a. This relay functions to close the circuit of its contactor 62a which functions to connect the light positioned inside of the pushbutton 46 to terminals 56 and 57 that are connected to the secondary of transformer 53 so that the right hand pushbutton 46 on the control panel 10 is illuminated. Pressing pushbutton 40 opens the circuit of contactor 40a and closes the circuit of contractor 40b so that the winding of relay 60 is connected across lines 58 and 59, and this relay is energized. Relay 60 functions to close its contactors 60a, 60b, 60c and 60d. Contactor 60a functions to lock in the winding of relay 60 through the circuit of contactor 41a, which is closed to line 58. Relay 60 is thus held operative after pushbutton 40 is released. Contactor 60b functions to close the circuit of the lamp in pushbutton 40 so that this lamp is connected across terminals 56 and 57 of the transformer secondary 153, and the light in this pushbutton is lit, indicating that this selection was made.

Closing contactor 60c activates the micro-switch 47 which is opposite dispensing head 11. Thus, when the glass 52 is moved by the conveyor 16 opposite to dispensing head 11, the glass will function to close switch 47. Closing the switch 47 functions to apply a pulse to the base of the input transistor 110 in control circuit 85, thus initiating the timing operation of this control circuit as previously described. During this timing interval, the winding of relay 66 is energized from the output transistor 189 of control unit through the line connected to the terminal 74 of this unit. Relay 66 moves contactor 66a down to engage the lower contact and close the circuit to the left hand side of solenoid 19 through contactor 60d of relay 60 which is in its upper position.

Solenoid 19 is thus energized through contactor 60d, contactor 66a, contactor 67a which is in its upper position, resistor 69a and the plus 15 volt line which is connected to terminal 73 of unit 85. When solenoid 19 is energized, it functions to divert the liquid flowing through the head 11 so that this liquid flows into the glass 52 as this glass passes slowly in front of this head. The control unit 85 is adjusted by adjusting the R-C circuit including capacitors 169-173 so that it times the interval during which solenoid 19 is to be energized. During this interval, a certain amount of liquid is dispensed from the head 11 into the container 52. This container is slowly moved away from this position by the conveyor and the switch 47 is released.

Pushbutton 46 was actuated as described above and the right hand part of the circuit (FIG. 4) was disabled so that the drink dispensed from head 11 will not be mixed with water, or soda and it will be a so-called on the rocks drink as indicated by pushbutton 46 (FIG. 4). Thus no further liquid will be added to the glass 52 as it proceeds further past heads 13, 14 and 15. If, for example, it is desired to fill several glasses with Scotch on the rocks, then no further operation need be performed except to place the glasses on the conveyor 16 so that these glasses will actuate switch 47 one after another as they are moved by the conveyor past station or head 11. If the next drink desired is Bourbon on the rocks, then the operator will actuate pushbutton 41, whereby contactor 41a is opened and relay 60 is de-energized. Also contactor 41b is closed so that relay 61 is energized. This relay functions to close its contactors 61a, 61b, 61c and 61d. Closing contactor 61a locks in the winding of relay 61 to contactor 40a one side of which is connected to the line 58 so that the winding of relay 61 is now connected across lines 58 and 59 through contactors 61a and 40a. Contactor 61b is closed and the lamp positioned in pushbutton 41 is connected across terminals 56 and 57 of the secondary of transformer 53, and as a result this lamp is lit, indicating that this position has been selected. Contactor 610 is also closed and thus the switch 48, which is located opposite position 12, is activated. Thus, in this instance the glass will pass the first position and will close switch 47 without producing any results and will pass on to the second position at which it will close switch 48, thereby supplying a pulse to the control unit 85 which starts the timing cycle of this control unit and initiates energization of relay winding 66. This relay moves the contactor 66a down as before into contact with the lower contact thereof. The circuit of contactor 61d of relay 61 is closed since relay 61 is energized. Solenoid 20 is thus energized through the circuit of con tactor 61d which is in its upper position, contactor 66a which is in its lower position, contactor 67a which is in its upper position, resistor 69a and the plus 15 volt line to terminal 73 of control unit 85.

If, instead of desiring either Scotch or Bourbon on the rocks, the operator desires to mix water with either Scotch or Bourbon, he sets up the circuit as follows: First, of course, it is necessary to press pushbutton 45 to clear the circuit so that if pushbutton 46 had been previously depressed and relay 62 energized through its locking contactor 62b, then it would be de-energized. After pushbutton 45 is released the circuit at contactor 45a is restored. Now, if it is desired to have Scotch with water, pushbutton 40 is depressed, thereby energizing relay 60 and causing this relay to lock itself across lines 58 and 59 through its contactor 60a and contactor 41a of pushbutton 41. Next, the pushbutton 42 which corresponds to the water position is pressed and the winding of relay 63 is energized by closing of the contactor 42c so that this winding is connected across the lines 58 and 59. Relay 63 closes its contactors 63a, 63b, 63c and 63d. Thus, as the glass or container 52 is moved by the conveyor 16 past station or head 11, a measured amount of Scotch is fed therethrough when the container closes switch 47, as was previously described. The container is moved further past position 12 and closes the switch 48 of this position. However, since this switch was not activated, no liquid is supplied to the container at this position. When the container reaches position 13 which is arranged to supply water, it closes switch 49, the contact of which is connected to terminal 78 of control unit 86. This control unit is the same as control unit except that it is adjusted for a longer time period since more water is desired in the container than the volume of liquid supplied thereto from the position 11. Switch 49 is connected to contactor 63c and the contact thereof is connected through line 77a to terminal 77 of control unit 86. When the control unit 86 is actuated through the aforesaid circuit through the closing of switch 49, the timing cycle in this control unit is initiated and the winding of relay 67 is energized through the operation of the output transistor of this control unit. This relay actuates its contactor 67a and pulls it down into engagement with the lower contact which is connected to contactor 63d of relay 63 which is in closed position. The contact of this contactor is connected to one side of the solenoid 21 of station 13. The other side of this solenoid is connected to the plus 15 volt line which is connected to terminal 73a of control unit 86. Solenoid 21 is energized through this circuit for a length of time depending upon the value of the R-C circuit in control unit 86 and during this time interval water is supplied to the container 52 from head 13. If soda or mix were desired instead of water then either push button 43 or pushbutton 44 are actuated to condition the circuit to dispense either one of these, that is, soda when switch 50 is closed and solenoid 68 is energized or mix when switch 51 is closed and solenoid 69 is energized.

Diode rectifiers 80-84 inclusive are provided for shunting the solenoids 19, 20, 21, 68 and 69 respectively to prevent high counter electromotive forces from building up across these solenoids when they are de-energized. Also resistors 68a and 69a are provided to load the outputs of the control devices 85 and 86 when the solenoids are disconnected therefrom. The values of these resistors are commensurate with the resistance of the solenoids.

While I have shown a preferred embodiment of the invention, it will be understood that the invention is capable of variation and modification from the form shown so that its scope should be limited only by the scope of the claims appended hereto.

What I claim is:

1. In apparatus for dispensing predetermined amounts of selected fluids or mixtures thereof the combination comprising a conveyor on which a container into which fluid is to be dispensed is adapted to be positioned, a

plurality of fluid dispensing means disposed at stations positioned along said conveyor, a plurality of fluid reservoirs, means for connecting different ones of said dispensing means to different ones of said reservoirs so that different fluids may be dispensed from the difierent stations, electrical control means comprising a switch at each of said stations, said switch being adapted to be actuated by the container as it is moved on said conveyor, manually actuated means for selecting the reservoir from which fluid is to be dispensed, means controlled by said manually actuated means for activating the switch at the station corresponding to the selected fluid, and timing means, said electrical control means having means for initiating the timing operation of said timing means when the switch thereof is actuated, and a relay connected to the output of said timing means to control said dispensing means.

2. In apparatus for dispensing predetermined amounts of selected liquids or mixtures thereof the combination comprising a conveyor on which a container into which liquid is to be dispensed is adapted to be positioned, a plurality of liquid dispensing means disposed at stations positioned along said conveyor, a plurality of liquid reservoirs, means for connecting different ones of said dispensing means to different ones of said reservoirs so that different liquids may be dispensed from the different stations, electrical control means at each of said stations including a switch adapted to be actuated by the container as it is moved on said conveyor, means for selecting the reservoir from which liquid is to be dispensed, and timing means, said electrical control means having means for initiating the timing operation of said timing means when the switch thereof is actuated, and a relay connected to the output of said timing means to control said dispensing means, said timing means including means for timing different ones of said stations to dispense difierent amounts of liquid therefrom.

3. In apparatus for dispensing predetermined amounts of selected liquids or mixtures thereof the combination comprising a plurality of liquid dispensing means disposed at stations, means for moving a container into which liquid is to be dispensed past said stations, a plurality of liquid reservoirs, means for connecting different ones of said dispensing means to different ones of said reservoirs so that diflerent liquids may be dispensed from the different stations, electrical control means comprising a switch at each of said stations, said switch being adapted to be actuated by the container, manually actuated means for selecting the reservoir from which liquid is to be dispensed, means controlled by said manually actuated means for activating the switch at the station corresponding to the selected liquid, and timing means, said electrical control means having means for initiating the timing operation of said timing means when the switch thereof is actuated, and a relay connected to the output of said timing means to control said dispensing means, said timing means in cluding means for timing diiferent ones of said stations to dispense different amounts of liquid therefrom.

4. In apparatus for dispensing predetermined amounts of selected liquids or mixtures thereof the combination comprising a plurality of liquid dispensing means disposed at stations, means for moving a container into which liquid is to be dispensed past said stations, a plurality of liquid reservoirs, means for connecting different ones of said dispensing means to different ones of said reservoirs so that difierent liquids may be dispensed from the different stations, a plurality of electrical switches, one of said switches being positioned at each of said stations and adapted to be actuated by the container, manually operated means for selecting the reservoir from which liquid is to be dispensed, said manuually' operated means including a plurality of pushbuttons, each of said stations having relay means controlled by a pushbutton connected thereto, said selecting means also having means for disabling the relays of stations other than the selected station, a plurality of solenoids, one of said solenoids positioned at each of said stations to control the dispensing of liquid therefrom, and timing means actuated by said relay means to energize said solenoids and time the dispensing of liq uid from the selected station.

5. In apparatus for dispensing predetermined amounts of selected fluids or mixtures thereof, the combination comprising a plurality of fluid dispensing means disposed at stations, means for moving a fluid receptacle past said stations, means for selecting said stations from which fluid is to be dispensed, said selecting means being divided into two groups so that fluid from two of said stations may be selected for mixing, at least one of said groups having at least two stations, a plurality of relays, a plurality of solenoids, each of said stations being controlled by one of said solenoids, each of said solenoids being connected to be controlled by one of said relays, control means for said stations, said control means being adapted to be actuated by the receptacle as the receptacle is moved past each of said stations, and means for connecting said control means to said relays for energizing the solenoids of selected stations to dispense fluid from the selected stations into said receptacle as said receptacle is aligned with the selected stations.

6. In apparatus for dispensing predetermined amounts of selected fluids or mixtures thereof, the combination comprising a plurality of fluid dispensing means disposed at stations, means for moving a fluid receptacle past said stations, a plurality of relays, a plurality of solenoids, each of said stations being controlled by one of said solenoids, each of said solenoids being connected to be controlled by one of said relays, means for connecting said relays in parallel, means for selecting the station from which fluid is to be dispensed, said selecting means having means for simultaneously setting the relay corresponding to the selected station, said selecting means also having means for disabling the relays of stations other than the selected station, control means for said stations, said control means being adapted to be actuated by the receptacle as the receptacle is moved past each of said stations and means for connecting said control means to said relays for energizing the solenoids of selected stations to dispense fluids from the selected stations into said receptacle as said receptacle is aligned with the selected stations.

7. In apparatus for dispensing predetermined amounts of selected fluids or mixtures thereof, the combination comprising a plurality of fluid dispensing means disposed at stations, means for moving a fluid receptacle past said stations, means for selecting said stations from which fluid is to be dispensed, a plurality of relays, means for connecting said relays in parallel, means in said parallel connection for dividing said relays into two groups so that fluid from two of said stations may be selected for mixing, a plurality of solenoids, each of said stations being controlled by one of said solenoids, each of said solenoids being connected to be controlled by one of said relays, control means for said stations, said control means being adapted to be actuated by the receptacle as the receptacle is moved past each of said stations and means for connecting said control means to said relays for energizing the solenoids of selected stations to dispense fluids from the selected stations into said receptacle as said receptacle is aligned with the selected stations.

8. In apparatus for dispensing predetermined amounts of selected fluids or mixtures thereof, the combination comprising a plurality of fluid dispensing means disposed at stations, means for moving a fluid receptacle past said stations, electrical switch means including pushbuttons for selecting said stations from which fluid is to be dispensed, a plurality of relays connected in parallel, said selecting means including means for dividing said parallel connected relays into two groups so that some of said stations are disabled when fluids are not to be mixed, a plurality of solenoids, each of said stations being controlled by one of said solenoids, each of said solenoids being connected to be controlled by one of said relays, control means for said stations, said control means being adapted to be actuated by the receptacle as the receptacle is moved past each of said stations and means for connecting said control means to said relays for energizing the solenoids of selected stations to dispense fluids from the selected stations into said receptacle as said receptacle is aligned with the selected stations.

9. In apparatus for dispensing predetermined amounts of selected fluids or mixtures thereof, the combination comprising a plurality of fluid dispensing means disposed at stations, means for moving a fluid receptacle past said stations, means for selecting said stations from which fluid is to be dispensed, said selecting means being divided into two groups so that fluid from two of said stations may be selected for mixing, a plurality of relays, a plurality of solenoids, each of said stations being controlled by one of said solenoids, each of said solenoids being connected to be controlled by one of said relays, control means for said stations, said control means being adapted to be actuated by the receptacle as the receptacle is moved past each of said stations and means for connecting said control means to said relays for energizing the solenoids of selected stations to dispense fluids from the selected stations into said receptacle as said receptacle is aligned with the selected stations, said control means including timing means to time the dispensing of fluid from the selected stations.

10. In apparatus for dispensing predetermined amounts of selected fluids or mixtures thereof the combination comprising a plurality of fluid dispensing means disposed at stations, means for moving a fluid receptacle past said stations, means for selecting said stations from which fluid is to be dispensed, a plurality of relays, said relays being divided into at least two groups, means for interconnecting the relays of each group, a plurality of solenoids, each of said stations being controlled by one of said solenoids, each of said solenoids being connected to be controlled by one of said relays, said selecting means including means for setting the relays corresponding to the selected stations, said interconnecting means including connections to prevent setting of more than one relay in a group at one time, control means for said stations, said control means being adapted to be actuated by the receptacle as the receptacle is moved past each of said stations and means for connecting said control means to said relays for energizing the solenoids of selected stations to dispense fluids from the selected stations into said receptacle as said receptacle is aligned with the selected stations.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,382,141 Stickels June 21, 1921 2,551,419 Clelland May 1, 1951 2,814,317 Gale Nov. 26, 1957 2,982,319 Magnuson May 2, 1961 3,018,922 Williamson Jan. 30, 1962 

1. IN APPARATUS FOR DISPENSING PREDETERMINED AMOUNTS OF SELECTED FLUIDS OR MIXTURES THEREOF THE COMBINATION COMPRISING A CONVEYOR ON WHICH A CONTAINER INTO WHICH FLUID IS TO BE DISPENSED IS ADAPTED TO BE POSITIONED, A PLURALITY OF FLUID DISPENSING MEANS DISPOSED AT STATIONS POSITIONED ALONG SAID CONVEYOR, A PLURALITY OF FLUID RESERVOIRS, MEANS FOR CONNECTING DIFFERENT ONES OF SAID DISPENSING MEANS TO DIFFERENT ONES OF SAID RESERVOIRS SO THAT DIFFERENT FLUIDS MAY BE DISPENSED FROM THE DIFFERENT STATIONS, ELECTRICAL CONTROL MEANS COMPRISING A SWITCH AT EACH OF SAID STATIONS, SAID SWITCH BEING ADAPTED TO BE ACTUATED BY THE CONTAINER AS IT IS MOVED ON SAID CONVEYOR, MANUALLY ACTUATED MEANS FOR SELECTING THE RESERVOIR FROM WHICH FLUID IS TO BE DISPENSED, MEANS CONTROLLED BY SAID MANUALLY ACTUATED MEANS FOR ACTIVATING THE SWITCH AT THE STATION CORRESPONDING TO THE SELECTED FLUID, AND TIMING MEANS, SAID ELECTRICAL CONTROL MEANS HAVING MEANS FOR INITIATING THE TIMING OPERATION OF SAID TIMING MEANS WHEN THE SWITCH THEREOF IS ACTUATED, AND A RELAY CONNECTED TO THE OUTPUT OF SAID TIMING MEANS TO CONTROL SAID DISPENSING MEANS. 